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Fantastic response to first-ever international conference

The National Museum of the Royal Navy’s first-ever three day conference got underway on the 101st anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, Wednesday 31st May and runs until Friday 2nd June.

The Jutland exhibition has now closed.

The battle is considered by many to be a defining moment of the First World War and national commemorations were held last year to mark its centenary. It was fought over 36 hours from 31st May to 1st June. Both the British and Germans claimed victory and debate as to who won has raged for decades. The British lost 6,094 sailors and the Germans 2,551.

Twenty speakers, some from overseas, are presenting a number of papers on a broad range of subjects from the latest on the looting of the wrecks in the North Sea to the battle’s legacy in film and television.

The keynote speech was given by renowned Jutland author Dr Andrew Gordon whose book The Rules of the Game is 20 years old this year. Attendees then enjoyed a drinks reception in the Historic Dockyard’s 36 Hours; Jutland 1916, The Battle That Won The War exhibition which runs for three years.

Conference organiser Nick Hewitt, who is Head of Heritage Development at The National Museum of the Royal Navy said: “It is right that we mark the battle and remember it. But what is equally fascinating is the huge legacy it has had on both the UK and the Germans, in popular culture, military planning and even underwater with maritime archaeology.

“We have been amazed at the response to this conference with over 60 people attending and look forward to holding similar type of events in the future.”